Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Part I: Egypt - 5 Reasons To Visit Now

By Jacquelin Carnegie –
(Luxor, Egypt)

The
Sphinx & Pyramids, Giza (photo: JCarnegie)

It’s always important to
have a sense of safety on vacation. Unless you’re a foreign correspondent, you
wouldn’t plan to visit a war zone. But, that’s not the situation in Egypt. There are many ways to tour Egypt in safety. Since this country has the most wondrous,
man-made monuments on earth, it’s a pity not to visit. Here are five reasons to
do so now. Don’t give up on Egypt!

1. The Touristic Areas Have Not Been Marred by
Protests

To understand why planning
a trip to Egypt is not insane, it helps to know the lay of the land. Most of
the protests during the "Arab Spring" of 2011 took place in Tahrir
Square in Cairo. Cairo is a huge
city (with awful traffic jams) but Tahrir is just one small square. It's worth noting were the protests took place, but for tourists, the important site to visit here is the famous Egyptian Museum, right on the square.

Cairo
market (photo: JCarnegie)

While there are currently no protests going on in Cairo, if you'd feel safer outside of a big city, the country has many other major tourist areas: Giza,
where The Sphinx and the pyramids are located, is a half hour outside of Cairo. The new Grand Egyptian Museum, to open in Giza in 2018, overlooking the pyramids, will be one of the largest archaeological museums in the world with some 100,000 artifacts.

To the south (Upper Egypt)Luxor, home to the most
famous tombs and temples, is hours from Cairo. Aswan, with the “Philae Temple,” the Temple of Isis, is even
further south. And, Alexandria, (Lower Egypt), the former home of Cleopatra, is to the north of Cairo.

2. Keeping an Eye on Progress

While the Arab Spring was short lived and Sisi, another military man, leads the country, there are still many Egyptians who'd like more moderate
representation. Along with liberal-secularists, there is a sizable Coptic
Christian population in Egypt who feel the current government has not
adequately protected them from conflicts with hardline

Hatshepsut Temple, Luxor (photo: JCarnegie)

Muslims.

Nobel Prize-winner Mohamed
El-Baradei was one of the chief coordinators of the National Salvation Front, concerned with protecting political and religious
freedoms and women’s rights. Other opposition groups included the liberal Wafd
party and the National Association for Change. Establishing a democracy after decades of political repression will not happen easily.

3. The Majority of Egyptians are Warm &
Welcoming

Tomb
painting (photo: JCarnegie)

Despite what you might think, having watched the protestors on TV, the majority of Egyptians want and
welcome tourists. In addition to the fact that many Egyptians earn a living
through tourism, they are genuinely proud to show off the ancient
temples and tombs, undoubtedly the
most marvelous, man-made monuments on earth.

4. The Price is Right

While the actual danger to
tourists has been minimal, the benefits are many: there are currently deep
discounts on excellent tour companies, first-class hotel rooms, Nile cruises,
etc. And, with fewer tourists at the sites, you can walk right into the famous
monuments that formerly had three-hour wait times.

Tutankhamun, Luxor Temple, Luxor (photo: JCarnegie)

5. The Best Way To Experience Egypt: Scholarly
Tours

The history of Egypt is so
rich, covering thousands of years, that the best way to get the most out of the
experience is on a scholarly tour with expert guides and Egyptologists. These five tour companies have excellent reputations
and are in daily contact with their associates in Egypt to monitor any disruptions:

“The splendors of
Egypt are not to be missed. Now is the perfect time to visit since there are no
tourist crowds. In addition to the well-known sites, our tours feature
off-the-beaten path wonders, small groups, and the top Egyptologists.” -Rami Girgis, Product Manager, North Africa & Middle East

“Discover the fascination
of ancient as well as modern-day Egypt. Right now, travelers have the advantage
of 5-star hotels at 3-star prices, of a Nile cruise with fewer boats on the
river, and excellent discounts on tour prices. Our educational tours appeal to
those with a life-long desire to learn and our Egyptologists are truly inspiring.” - Yves Marceau, Director of Program Development

"For nearly 40
years, we've introduced travelers to wonderful archaeologists and academics
working in Egypt. The Egyptian people are always glad to see us and make us
feel extremely welcome. Despite what you read in the news,

this is the best time to
visit Egypt, with fewer tourists the experience is better." - Linda Feinstone, President

"We offer
high-end, private tours and, if anything, travelers appreciate visiting Egypt
now that there are no crowds at the major attractions of one of the world’s
greatest ancient civilizations." - Ashley Ganz, Founder

"Our custom tours
allow you to experience Egypt on your own or with a group of friends or family
members escorted by our Egyptian guides who share their passion and enthusiasm
for their country. Egypt has been and always will be a fabulous destination and
now is the perfect time to go."- Karen MacRae, Egypt Specialist

While international
travelers are aware of the current political situation in Egypt, many believe
that their presence can be a positive force for change. Your vacation dollars
will help the fragile Egyptian economy; you’ll see the most glorious, man-made
sites on earth and meet wonderful people yearning for true democracy.

“Philae
Temple” (Temple of Isis), Aswan (photo: JCarnegie)

Helpful Hints: a) To get the most out of your trip, read some
great books about Egypt before you go. b)The U.S. Department of
State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program - Before leaving on a trip to Egypt,
sign up for safety updates and assistance in getting in touch with relatives in
case of an emergency.